Hürrem Sultan’s ballet back on stage

ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency

The ballet will be staged March 17 at the Kadıköy Süreyya Opera stage, which will also host a photography exhibition for Turfanda.

The Hürrem Sultan ballet, which was first performed in 1977, will return to the stage after 35 years at the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet.

The ballet will be performed to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of Oytun Turfanda, who directed the choreography for the 1977 production.

This time, Deniz Olgay Yamanus and Oktay Keresteci will put the ballet on stage. The ballet tells the sad story of the Ottoman Empire and focuses on the love of Süleyman the Magnificent and Hürrem Sultan. Hürrem wants her son to be the emperor, but he kills him.

When it was first staged, Turfanda tried to put on a simple and pure play that reflected the feelings of Süleymen and Hürrem. The folkloric characteristic of the play are important. The choreography aims to reflect the spirit of the era. The new production’s composer, Turkey’s Nevit Kodallı, is one of the best composers/choreographers in Turkish ballet, a written statement from Istanbul Opera and Ballet said.
Istanbul Opera and Ballet’s written statement added that Kodallı had created another masterpiece with the present ballet. The decorations for the ballet were made by Vakko Home while the costumes were made by Seda Başbuğ. The decor, which will reflect the Ottoman Empire’s historical era, was made by Efter Tunç. The ballet will be staged March 17 at the Kadıköy Süreyya Opera stage, which will also host a photography exhibition for Turfanda. The ballet will also be performed March 22, 23, 30 and 31.